We emphasize the critical role that pediatricians, family physicians, and parents play in the early diagnosis of young malignancies on International Young Cancer Day in 2024, being celebrated on 15th February.
Parents are the ones who are most willing to invest in the welfare of their children. You may be able to save your child’s life by learning about the early warning signs and symptoms of specific malignancies and keeping an eye out for them.
Every day, more than 1000 youngsters receive a cancer diagnosis worldwide. In high-income nations, where more than 80% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive, recent medical advancements offer exceptionally good prospects of survival. However, in certain low- and middle-income nations, just approximately 20% of children diagnosed with cancer will make it through.
Childhood cancer: its roots, impacts, and common varieties
Childhood cancers are a much-dreaded disease, causing one of the biggest nightmares for families. Every year, an estimated 4,00,000 children and adolescents between 0-19 years develop the disease. The unknown cause and lack of environmental and lifestyle factors make diagnosis and treatment difficult. Screening is not a viable method for preventing or identifying childhood cancers, making them a major cause of mortality worldwide. International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is a global initiative to help children and adolescents worldwide who are impacted by cancer, as well as their families, by bringing attention to childhood cancer and its particular problems.
The WHO highlights chronic infections like HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, and malaria as risk factors for childhood cancer. Around 4 lakh children and adolescents up to 19 develop cancer annually, including leukemia, brain cancers, lymphomas, and solid tumors like neuroblastoma and Wilms tumor. Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in all age groups, and children should be aware of their signs. The lack of early diagnosis and screening for childhood cancer is a significant challenge, exacerbated by a lack of awareness among healthcare providers and the absence of specialized cancer centers worldwide. This lack of early detection is crucial for improving outcomes in children with cancer, highlighting the importance of raising awareness and supporting cancer patients.
WHO Childhood Cancer Global Initiative
The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region reported over 70% of children with a cancer diagnosis dying in 2022. The underlying factors contributing to childhood cancer are poorly understood, and only a small fraction can be prevented.
The recovery of these children depends on timely diagnosis, early referral, and appropriate treatment. The Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) was launched in 2018 to reduce the survival gap by 2030, aiming to ensure at least 60% of children with cancer worldwide survive their diagnosis. This cooperative effort involves WHO on a global, regional, and country-specific scale, in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
However, Childhood cancer is a significant issue in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, with leukemia being the most common cancer among children aged 0-19 years.
Early signs of childhood cancer include unexplained high fever, lymphoma, and retinoblastoma. In the early stages, eye enlargement is the most common sign of leukemia, while brain tumors are also common. Parents, general practitioners, and pediatricians play a vital role in detecting childhood cancer early on. International Childhood Cancer Day is a call to action to raise awareness and support for children and adolescents with cancer, as well as to play a part in the fight against childhood cancer. By recognizing early signs and symptoms, we can work towards a future where every child can live a full, healthy life.
Cutting down on disparities in childhood cancer
The WHO has reported rapid progress in childhood cancer survival rates in the European Region, with over 80% of cases cured. However, the annual death rate for children diagnosed with cancer varies across countries, with 20% still dying. WHO/Europe is working to understand inequalities in childhood cancer incidence and care, with a 2021 report revealing evidence on childhood cancer inequalities in 53 countries, affecting diagnosis, access, care quality, follow-up care, mortality, and survivorship experiences.
The WHO has reported rapid progress in childhood cancer survival rates in the European Region, with over 80% of cases cured. However, the annual death rate for children diagnosed with cancer varies across countries, with 20% still dying. WHO/Europe is working to understand inequalities in childhood cancer incidence and care, with a 2021 report revealing evidence on childhood cancer inequalities in 53 countries, affecting diagnosis, access, care quality, follow-up care, mortality, and survivorship experiences.
Comments 1